The Florida Panthers continue to amaze, having won their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship at the expense of the Edmonton Oilers.
Florida claimed hockey’s ultimate prize with a convincing 5-1 victory over the Oilers in Game 6 of the Cup Final on Tuesday, powered by four goals from forward Sam Reinhart.
Meanwhile, Sam Bennett picked up the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the postseason thanks to his 15 goals. He is also eligible for unrestricted free agency in the offseason. Can the Panthers keep him?
Can The Panthers Keep Sam Bennett?
During his postgame press conference, Bennett stated in no uncertain terms that he was glad to be a part of this current edition of the Panthers and that he appreciates every aspect of the organization.
“It’s harder than I ever imagined to win the Stanley Cup once, and twice was even harder,” Bennett said. “So it’s a huge honor to be a part of this group. I’m not going to take it for granted. I love being here, and I love this team. It’s a remarkable team to be a part of, just from the whole staff to the players to the management, the owner, the coaches. Truly, everyone is world-class here. And this is a fun team to be a part of.”
“I always believed in myself,” Bennett said. “I always knew I could be more than I was when I first got traded. But it’s all a dream, I guess, until you actually do it.”
Head coach Paul Maurice discussed Bennett’s accomplishments, noting how he fit in with the Panthers and that the time was right for him to make his mark.
“The great stories of redemption and sacrifice that are here,” Maurice said. “Players that were good players, the timing wasn’t right, the situation, all of it just didn’t fit in. And those are easy words, but when you think what a man goes through when it’s not right, those are hard times, dark times.”
“Especially if you care. For Sam Bennett to be here today with this group of guys, to have the success he’s had, there’s a lot of heaviness that he had. … There’s a lot of work that had to go into it. He didn’t show up with his talent and say, ‘OK, feed me, and I’ll show you how good I am.’”
Bennett scored 15 goals with seven assists during the postseason, an easy choice to be named the Most Valuable Player.
The question remains whether the Panthers will be able to accommodate the next contract he signs under their salary cap.
